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Fatal accident closes N.C. Highway 109 near Denton

Published: Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 7:31 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 2:11 p.m.

DENTON | One person died and another was airlifted to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem after a three-vehicle crash Thursday morning on N.C. Highway 109 South near South Davidson High School.

First responders were dispatched to the accident, which included a head-on collision, at 5:09 a.m., said Bill Stossmeister, a supervisor with the Davidson County 911 Center. The initial report came in that five vehicles were involved, but the 911 Center later learned there were only three vehicles in the crash. The accident, which also ended in an arrest of the driver with the third vehicle involved, occurred just south of South Davidson High School.

Stephen Erwin, 49, of Denton, the driver of a 1998 Chevrolet Impala, was pronounced dead at the scene, Sgt. K.G. Brown of the N.C. Highway Patrol confirmed Thursday afternoon. Dray Carter, 26, last known address in Albemarle, was critically injured and transported by AirCare to WFBMC. He was listed in critical condition Thursday afternoon.

Erwin was displaced from his house on N.C. Highway 109 South after a fire April 1.

Brown said Carter's vehicle was traveling southbound on N.C. 109 when he traveled left of center and struck Erwin's vehicle head-on. Erwin was traveling northbound. After impact, Erwin's vehicle stopped in the northbound shoulder of N.C. 109, and Carter's vehicle stopped in the southbound lane.

A second collision, Brown said, occurred when a 2000 Infiniti SUV, driven by William Walters, 22, of Greensboro, was traveling south on N.C. 109 and struck Carter's vehicle in the driver door. Carter's vehicle stopped on the southbound shoulder after the second impact, and Walter's vehicle stopped in the southbound lane of N.C. 109.

N.C. Highway Patrol First Sgt. B.D. Stalvey said both vehicles were “stabilized” when the third vehicle struck Carter's vehicle, a 2006 Nissan SUV. Stalvey said first responders had not arrived on the scene when the second collision occurred.

“The third vehicle came along and hit the driver's door area of that Nissan Xterra, and that's what critically injured that driver in addition to the injuries he sustained in the head-on,” Stalvey said. “Probably, the smoke and dust was settling from the first one before the second one happened.”

Walters and his 23-year-old passenger were treated at the scene, Brown said.

Charges are pending on Carter, Brown said. She said Walters was charged with driving while impaired, and additional charges are pending on him as well. Brown said troopers during their investigation determined Walters was impaired with alcohol.

Brown said there was a potential of two or three drivers who did not stay at the scene and render aid. She said there was a witness who stopped at the scene and assisted with the crash. Brown said these people are not in trouble but should contact the N.C. Highway Patrol at 249-0247 or (800) 233-3151. She said it is essential for these people to step forward because troopers are looking at all pieces of the evidence.

“If anybody knows anything, they can contact the Highway Patrol,” she said.

Trooper Daniel Bowick is investigating the first crash and Trooper J.F. Bauguess the second accident, Brown said. The investigation by the troopers continues.

“It is a very complex investigation,” Brown said. “We are conferring with the DA's office to continue the investigation and wrap up the physical evidence. “

Chief Raeford Dorsett of the Denton Volunteer Fire Department said Carter was pinned in and had to be extricated before being transported by AirCare to WFBMC. Firefighters had the patient removed from the vehicle within 10 and 15 minutes after arriving on the scene, Dorsett said.

<p>DENTON | One person died and another was airlifted to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem after a three-vehicle crash Thursday morning on N.C. Highway 109 South near South Davidson High School. </p><p>First responders were dispatched to the accident, which included a head-on collision, at 5:09 a.m., said Bill Stossmeister, a supervisor with the Davidson County 911 Center. The initial report came in that five vehicles were involved, but the 911 Center later learned there were only three vehicles in the crash. The accident, which also ended in an arrest of the driver with the third vehicle involved, occurred just south of South Davidson High School.</p><p>Stephen Erwin, 49, of Denton, the driver of a 1998 Chevrolet Impala, was pronounced dead at the scene, Sgt. K.G. Brown of the N.C. Highway Patrol confirmed Thursday afternoon. Dray Carter, 26, last known address in Albemarle, was critically injured and transported by AirCare to WFBMC. He was listed in critical condition Thursday afternoon.</p><p>Erwin was displaced from his house on N.C. Highway 109 South after a fire April 1.</p><p>Brown said Carter's vehicle was traveling southbound on N.C. 109 when he traveled left of center and struck Erwin's vehicle head-on. Erwin was traveling northbound. After impact, Erwin's vehicle stopped in the northbound shoulder of N.C. 109, and Carter's vehicle stopped in the southbound lane.</p><p>A second collision, Brown said, occurred when a 2000 Infiniti SUV, driven by William Walters, 22, of Greensboro, was traveling south on N.C. 109 and struck Carter's vehicle in the driver door. Carter's vehicle stopped on the southbound shoulder after the second impact, and Walter's vehicle stopped in the southbound lane of N.C. 109.</p><p>N.C. Highway Patrol First Sgt. B.D. Stalvey said both vehicles were “stabilized” when the third vehicle struck Carter's vehicle, a 2006 Nissan SUV. Stalvey said first responders had not arrived on the scene when the second collision occurred.</p><p>“The third vehicle came along and hit the driver's door area of that Nissan Xterra, and that's what critically injured that driver in addition to the injuries he sustained in the head-on,” Stalvey said. “Probably, the smoke and dust was settling from the first one before the second one happened.”</p><p>Walters and his 23-year-old passenger were treated at the scene, Brown said.</p><p>Charges are pending on Carter, Brown said. She said Walters was charged with driving while impaired, and additional charges are pending on him as well. Brown said troopers during their investigation determined Walters was impaired with alcohol.</p><p>Brown said there was a potential of two or three drivers who did not stay at the scene and render aid. She said there was a witness who stopped at the scene and assisted with the crash. Brown said these people are not in trouble but should contact the N.C. Highway Patrol at 249-0247 or (800) 233-3151. She said it is essential for these people to step forward because troopers are looking at all pieces of the evidence.</p><p>“If anybody knows anything, they can contact the Highway Patrol,” she said.</p><p>Trooper Daniel Bowick is investigating the first crash and Trooper J.F. Bauguess the second accident, Brown said. The investigation by the troopers continues.</p><p>“It is a very complex investigation,” Brown said. “We are conferring with the DA's office to continue the investigation and wrap up the physical evidence. “</p><p>Chief Raeford Dorsett of the Denton Volunteer Fire Department said Carter was pinned in and had to be extricated before being transported by AirCare to WFBMC. Firefighters had the patient removed from the vehicle within 10 and 15 minutes after arriving on the scene, Dorsett said.</p><p>Firefighters with the Silver Valley Volunteer Fire Department assisted.</p><p>Stossmeister said both lanes of N.C. Highway 109 where the crash occurred reopened about 9:40 a.m.</p><p>Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or at darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.</p>